The Meeting 8 Takes Over Aspen/Snowmass

Panels, Premieres, and Parties

Industry elite, filmmakers, athletes, and media gathered in a little place called Aspen this past weekend, September 27-29, for the 8th installment of The Meeting, an event that serves as the kickoff to the winter season. This year’s event was chock-full of movie premieres, parties, panels, and the opportunity to bro-down and get amped for the approaching winter season.

Things kicked off with the 10th annual NEPSA Awards at Aspen’s historic Wheeler Opera House. The NEPSA awards (Aspen spelled backwards) are a showcase of local short films that highlight Aspen’s eccentricities and tight-knit community. Filmmakers were tasked with creating a 3-5 minute film that aligned with one of the following themes: Before Aspen, First Chair or Duct Tape to Diamonds. The competition was heavy, but the following films won out:

Carelli also won Crowd Favorite for his film that documented what it’s like to be a snowcat driver on Aspen Mountain. To check out all of the NEPSA films, head here.

A heavy emphasis was placed on the panel session this year, and Aspen/Snowmass rose to the occasion by ramping up the caliber of speakers. Non-endemic digital and media elite, including renowned photographer, Chase Jarvis; Greg Jacobs, Head of Distribution at Red Bull Media House North America; and Scott Mellin, Founder and CEO of Factory Design Labs divulged their insight into the three key topics: content distribution, brand building, and creating an audience.

John Roderick, cinematographer and owner of Neu Productions was impressed with the panels, commenting that the information he garnered was “game-changing.” Roderick said, “To gain access to this level of marketing, distribution and social media knowledge is an absolute plus and helps independent filmmakers like myself bridge my endemic niche of snow sports to the commercial world.”

With everyone’s brains bursting with newly acquired insight, many headed to the Wheeler Opera House for the evening’s film screenings. Further, Teton Gravity Research’s two year film project about Jeremy Jones screened first, followed Matchstick Productions’ Superheros of Stoke. All of the films were well received by the crowd, but the intensity of Further resonated with many, and spurred conversations throughout the weekend. Following the films, it was on to Aspen’s notorious Belly Up music venue for some Rasta time with Stephen Marley.

The next morning, fall foliage was in full effect, which gave Meeting attendees the opportunity to hike, bike, or Go-Kart at the famed Woody Creek Race Track. The track was the scene of heavy action as everyone from pro skier Julian Carr to Aspen’s Dave Amirault battled it out. After numerous laps, a few cart causalities, and a renewed lust for life, it was time for the final film screenings of The Meeting. The Wheeler was the place to be for Voluerz’s Kill Your Boredom, Poor Boys Productions’ WE: A Collection of Individuals, and Teton Gravity Research’s Dream Factory.

From the plethora of thought-provoking panels, stimulating premieres and spectacular parties, The Meeting 8 proved to be the perfect kick off to the winter season. This tweet sums it up nicely:@joeartdotcom: Bro, I’m so bro’ed out bro. But it’s been a bro-tastic bro-venture, bro. I’ll bro ya later. #TheMeeting8

Stay tuned for the video from the awesome weekend, and check out the best Instagrams from the Meeting 8 here.